The former Manchester United and Everton forward has been the catalyst behind DC's remarkable upturn in form which has taken them from bottom of the Eastern Conference into a playoff spot.

Rooney opened the scoring after eight minutes at Audi Field on Sunday, with Luciano Acosta adding a second midway through the first half.

England's all-time record goalscorer then grabbed his second from the penalty spot in the 74th minute to put his side 3-0 up, with NYCFC pulling a consolation goal back through the former Barcelona and Spain forward David Villa.